Train signal



April W410 J. B, ANDERSON z zw s m TRAIN SIGNAL Filed Jan. 25, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor fines n Van -aw A iiorneys J. wmzwsom TRAIN SIGNAL Filed Jan. 25, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 If V i I I I If Inventor '7 {Jam A iiomeys Patented Apr. 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in train signals and has for its primary ohjec to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising a plurality of distinctive signal lights which will be clearly visible from one end of the longest trains to the other and beyond, said lights being selectively controllable from within the caboose on which the device is mounted, the invention being particularly intended for use on freight trains.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a train signal of the aforementioned character embodying a construction and arrangement whereby the signal lights may be conveniently turned in a manner to face the locomotive at all times as when the train is on a curved stretch of track.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a train signal of the character described which is clearly visible from the rear as well as from the front.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide a train signal of the character set forth embodying a switch of a. novel construction and arrangement for controlling the different lights.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a train signal of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a View in side elevation, showing an embodiment of the present invention installed and ready for operation.

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the upper portion of the invention.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the invention, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view, taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Figure 6 is a view in vertical section through one of the control switches.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it

will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises anelongated housing I of suitable metal which is mounted vertically on the front wall of the cupola 2 of a caboose 3. The housing I, it will be noted, extends through the roof of the cupola 2. The housing I is provided with apertured flanges 4 for rigidly securing said housing in position.

Extending through the housing I is a shaft 5 which is journalled in bearings 6. Fixed on the upper end of the shaft 5 for rotation therewith is a vertically elongated casing l. Braces 8 extend from the top of the casing l to the sides of the cupola 2. The braces 8 are rotatably connected to the upper end of the casing 1, as at 9.

Mounted in the casing "I are vertically spaced, horizontal partitions In providing a plurality of light chambers ll. Each chamber it has mounted therein an electric socket l2 for the reception of an incandescent lamp l3. The shaft 5 is hollow to accommodate conductor wires to the lamps l3. The lamps [3 may be energized from any suitable source of current supply such, for example, as a storage battery charged by a generator driven from one of the axles of the caboose 3.

Doors M are mounted on hinges E5 on the front and rear of the casing 7. Suitable latches l6 are provided for releasably securing the doors [4 in closed position. Substantially oval lenses I! are mounted on the doors I4 for each of the chambers H. Of course, the lenses I! receive light from the incandescent lamps 13. As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the uppermost lenses H are red indicating danger, the intermediate lenses are amber or yellow, indicating caution, while the lowermost lenses may be green or of clear glaSS.. A hood or shield I8 is provided beneath the lower end of the casing l for the upper end of the housing I.

On the lower end of the housing i is a horizontally extending quadrant Hi. This is shown to advantage in Figures 3 and 5 of the drawings. Fixed on the lower end portion of the shaft 5 is an operating lever til for the casing 1. The lever 20 is provided with a suitable latch 2i which is engageable in the notches or recesses of the quadrant 9 for releasably securing the signal in adjusted position.

The incandescent lamps 13 are controlled as desired through the medium of a plurality of switches which are designated generally by the reference numeral 22. As illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. i of the drawings, the control switches 22 may be located at convenient points in the caboose 3 for operation. Each switch 22 includes an electrically insulated housing 23 which is substantially in the form of a segment 5 having a slot 24 in its peripheral wall. Pivotally mounted, as at 25, for swinging movement in the housing 23 is an arm 26 of conducting material which is operable in the slot 24. An operating handle 21 is mounted on the free end of the arm 26. Adjacent its free end, the arm 26 is formed to provide a contact portion 28 which is engageable with stationary contacts 29 which are located at spaced points in the housing .23.

Notches or recesses 30 are provided in the housing 23 at each contact 29. A latch 3| is provided on the handle 21, said latch being engageable in '1 I the notches or recesses 30 for releasably securing the swinging arm 26 in any of its several posi- A notch or recess 30 is also providedfor the caboose 3, the incandescent lamps 13 may be energized to show red, yellow or green or clear lights to the front and rear, as may be desired. Through the medium of the hand lever 20 the signal unit may be conveniently rotated as may be necessary to align the signal lights with the locomotive of the train, as when said train is on a curve. The hinged doors [4 permit access to be readily had to the chambers II for replacing the lamps 13 or for any other purposes.

It is believed that the many advantages of a train signal constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is tobe understood that changes in the details of construction and in 1 the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A train signal including a vertical tubular housing, spaced bearings in said housing, a shaft journaled in the bearings and projecting above the housing, a signal casing fixed on the upper end of said shaft, a substantially frusto-conical hood mounted on the upper end portion of the shaft, said hood receiving and enclosing the upper end portion of the housing, and vertically elongated, apertured flanges integral with one side portion of the housing and projecting in opposite directions therefrom, said flanges constituting means for attaching the housing to a support.

JAMES B. ANDERSON. 

